Clinical and functional outcome of elastic stable intramedullary nailing in pediatric femoral fractures in the age group of 5-16 years

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Fractures of the femur are the most incapacitating fractures. The best treatment for children between five to sixteen years of age is still debated. The ESIN has the benefits of early immediate stability to the involved bone segment, permitting early mobilization and return to the normal activities of the patients, respect for the physes, minimal scarring with lower complications. The purpose of this study was to present this study results following fixation of femoral shaft fractures with titanium elastic nails between the age 5-16 years of age.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total 52 patients in the age group of 5-16 years with femoral shaft fractures were stabilized using flexible nailing. Clinical and radiological follow-up was for a minimum period of 24 months. The final results were analysed using Flynn’s criteria.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Mean age at surgery was 7.4 years (range 5.6-14.3 years). The average duration of surgery was 65.3 (45-95) minutes and the mean duration of hospital stay was 8 (5-14) days. Skin irritation due to nail ends was the most common complication followed by significant lengthening (n=6), infection (n=2), significant shortening (n=2), varus angulation (n=2) and delayed union (n=2). The final outcome was excellent in 65.4% cases, satisfactory in 30.8% cases and three patients had poor outcomes as per Flynn's scoring criteria.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In this study, ESIN showed good clinical and radiographic results in the age group 5 to 16 years, with minimal complications and high parent satisfaction consistent with previous studies but lesser number of mid adolescent age groups in the present study is a limitation.</p>

Dimensions of the paediatric femur: anatomical limitations of flexible intramedullary nailing

Purpose Although spica casting remains the benchmark for treating diaphyseal femur fractures in preschool children, some authors advocate using flexible intramedullary nails in certain situations. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the anatomic feasibility of flexible nailing in young children. Methods Consecutive patients between the ages of zero and ten years with normal femurs who received femur radiographs at a tertiary paediatric hospital over a two-year period were included. Anteroposterior femur radiographs were evaluated for length and isthmus width measurements. Each femur was templated for flexible nail size. The proportions of each age group capable of accommodating two flexible nails up to 4.0 mm in size were determined and compared. Results A total of 381 full-length femur radiographs were reviewed. There was a strong, direct linear relationship between age and femoral length (R2 = 0.896) and a moderate correlation between age and femoral isthmus width (R2 = 0.417). Although the percentage of femurs able to accommodate flexible nails continued to increase with age, this increase did not represent a significant difference when comparing preschool-aged children with older age groups. Conclusions Age and femoral length demonstrated a strong, positive correlation while age and isthmus width had weaker correlation. The ability of femurs to accommodate flexible nails increased with age with most children age two years and older able to accommodate two flexible nails of at least 2.5 mm in size. Level of Evidence III

Flexible intramedullary nailing for femoral diaphyseal fractures in children

Background & Objectives: Although various treatment options are available for the treatment of femoral diaphyesal fractures in children, the titanium flexible nailing has gained popularity because it is safe, easy procedure with rapid recovery and high success rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of titanium elastic nails in treating paediatric femoral diaphyesal fractures at Patan Hospital.Materials & Methods: There were 35 cases which were all fixed with titanium flexible intramedullary nail under image intensifier at the Patan hospital from January 2013 and December 2015. Patients were evaluated in follow-ups to observe the alignment of fracture, infection, delayed union, nonunion, limb length discrepancy, implant failure, range of movement of hip and knee joints, and time to unite the fracture. The final results were evaluated using criteria of titanium elastic nail (TEN) outcome score described by Flynn et al.Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.51 years. Among 35 patients (22 boys and 13 girls), there were 19 mid-shaft fractures, nine proximal third fractures and seven distal third fractures. Fracture patterns were transverse (22), oblique (10), spiral (2), and comminuted (2). The mean time for fracture union was 8.17 weeks radiologically whereas 9.83 weeks clinically. According to TEN outcome score, excellent and good results were in 28 cases (80%) and seven cases (20%) respectively.Conclusion: Flexible titanium nailing is a safe and satisfactory treatment for diaphyseal femoral fractures in children, because it provides rapid recovery, short rehabilitation and immobilization as well as very high union rate with few complications.

Quantification of radiation exposure in the operating theatre during management of common fractures of the upper extremity in children

Introduction Surgical procedures to manage trauma to the wrist, forearm and elbow in children are very common. Image intensifiers are used routinely, yet studies/guidelines that quantify expected radiation exposure in such procedures are lacking. Methods Information on demographics, injury type, surgeon grade and dose area product (DAP) of radiation exposure per procedure was collected prospectively for 248 patients undergoing manipulation/fixation of injuries to the elbow, forearm or wrist at a paediatric hospital over 1 year. Results DAP exposure (in cGycm2) differed significantly across different procedures (p<0.001): wrist manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA; median, 0.39), wrist k-wiring (1.01), forearm MUA (0.50), flexible nailing of the forearm (2.67), supracondylar fracture MUA and k-wiring (2.23) and open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral humeral condyle (0.96). Fixation of a Gartland grade-3 supracondylar fracture (2.94cGycm2) was associated with higher exposure than grade-2 fixation (1.95cGycm2) (p=0.048). Fractures of the wrist or forearm necessitating metalwork fixation resulted in higher exposure than those requiring manipulation only (both p<0.001). For procedures undertaken by trainees, trainee seniority (between year-5 and year-8 and clinical fellow, p≥0.24) did not affect the DAP significantly. Conclusions The spectrum of radiation exposures for common procedures utilised in the management of paediatric upper limb trauma were quantified. These findings will be useful to surgeons auditing their practice and quantifying radiation-associated risks to patients. Our data may serve as a basis for implementing protocols designed to improve patient safety.